7 Ways Robots Can Help You Be a Better Pet Owner

Feel like your pet parenting skills need improving? Technology’s got you covered. Here are seven ways that robots are making it easier to love, feed, and monitor your furry friends.

1. A ROBOTIC LITTERBOX THAT CHANGES ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY.

Let’s face it: No matter how much you love your kitty, dealing with their litter box isn’t always fun. But if you forget to change it, your cat’s bound to be offended—or even worse, punish you by “going” somewhere else. Luckily for both you and your feline, one technologically advanced pet care product company has created a robotic, self-cleaning litter box.

A weight-sensitive sensor detects when your cat is hopping in and out of the box. Once your kitty’s made its final exit and the litter’s done clumping, the smart litter box sifts the waste from the litter and deposits it into an odor-controlling base compartment. (A flashing light will alert you when it’s finally full.) The best part? As a pet owner, all you’re required to do is empty the waste compartment every seven to 10 days (or more frequently if you have more than one cat) and refill it with litter.

2. A ROBOT THAT FEEDS YOUR PETS.

The only thing animals love more than belly rubs and snuggles is food—and if you forget to give them their kibbles, you can say sayonara to both. But thanks to a variety of WiFi-controlled food-dispensing robots now available on the market , there’s no reason for you to forget to feed your pet ever again. The robotic feeders hold several pounds of food and distribute it on a regular schedule, allowing you to adjust feeding times and portion sizes accordingly. Some feeders even feature HD cameras, microphones, and speakers so you can keep ultra-close tabs on your pet’s eating habits.

3. A ROBOT THAT WALKS YOUR DOG.

Walking your dog is a great way to squeeze exercise into your daily routine and bond with your canine pal. But if you’re sick, busy, or preoccupied, it’s hard to find the time or energy to take Fido for a few laps around the block. One robotics company created a human-sized personal robot with a touchscreen face that can be programmed to perform myriad tasks, like serving drinks, assisting workers, and—yes—escorting dogs outside for a stroll. The high-tech machine is equipped with a microphone, wireless and cellular communication capabilities, an HD camera, and USB ports for accessories or add-ons. But since it rolls on wheels, keep in mind that it might not be the best fit for a particularly rambunctious dog.

4. A ROBOT THAT VACUUMS UP YOUR PET’S SHEDDING FUR.

There’s no reason to live in a fur- and dander-filled house if your animal’s prone to shedding. Instead of stocking up on lint rollers, frightening your pet with a power vacuum, or embarrassing your cat or dog with a short haircut, invest in a newly-designed robot vacuum that’s designed to remove pet hair and fur from floors of all types, including wood, carpet, and tile. It’s equipped with super suction, a special combo brush that picks up all kinds of pet hair, and an allergy filter that captures the tiniest particles. And since it is WiFi enabled and controlled via a remote control smartphone app, you can run it while you’re on vacation—allowing you to return home to a fuzz-free living space.

5. A ROBOT THAT PLAYS WITH YOUR PET.

Cats and dogs get bored when they’re stuck inside all day. To engage their senses and get their blood pumping, tech companies have created a variety of robotic toys designed to race, dart, and move unaided around a room, letting your furry friend chase them to their heart’s content. Many of these toys can be controlled using a smartphone app, which lets you “play” with your pet even when you’re miles away.

6. A ROBOT THAT THROWS TREATS AT YOUR DOG.

Die-hard pet owners might be familiar with pet cameras, which allow you to keep tabs on your pet all day and talk to it through a microphone. But one new robot camera offers a unique—and utterly fun—feature: You can use a smartphone app to make it toss treats at your dog on command.

7. A ROBOT THAT PETS AND FEEDS YOUR DOG—AND LETS IT DO THE SAME TO YOU.

We’re not saying that human-pet relationships are a one-way street, but don’t you ever wish that your dog could return the favor and pet or feed you back?

One canine-loving engineer recently developed a robot with a gloved robotic arm that pats your pooch on the head when you push a button. Then, it provides your pet with a handful of treats. In turn, your dog can press a button at the machine’s other end that caresses your head and gives you snacks.